Comments on: Strike While the Iron is Hot http://www.kitchencountereconomics.com/2010/02/09/strike-while-the-iron-is-hot/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:58:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Karen http://www.kitchencountereconomics.com/2010/02/09/strike-while-the-iron-is-hot/#comment-1217 Karen Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:53:58 +0000 http://www.kitchencountereconomics.com/?p=1208#comment-1217 I've done a lot of leather sewing, and other than using a leather needle, I've really not had to invest in anything else. For flattening seams, you can use glue (leather or sometimes craft glue it dries flexibly). You can also sometimes use steam-a-seam or similar products. Leather can take more heat than you'd imagine, just use as heavier press cloth and don't panic if some of the pigment comes off on the cloth. I've noticed that older machines have an easier time with leather - my cheapy 10 year old Singer does a better job than my Juki, and the old trashpicked table-model Singer in my dining room will do an even better job once I clean it up. Go slow and use a larger stitch size - stitching close together can act as perforation, and then BAD things happen. Ask me how I know. I’ve done a lot of leather sewing, and other than using a leather needle, I’ve really not had to invest in anything else. For flattening seams, you can use glue (leather or sometimes craft glue it dries flexibly). You can also sometimes use steam-a-seam or similar products. Leather can take more heat than you’d imagine, just use as heavier press cloth and don’t panic if some of the pigment comes off on the cloth.

I’ve noticed that older machines have an easier time with leather – my cheapy 10 year old Singer does a better job than my Juki, and the old trashpicked table-model Singer in my dining room will do an even better job once I clean it up. Go slow and use a larger stitch size – stitching close together can act as perforation, and then BAD things happen. Ask me how I know.

]]> By: WolfSong http://www.kitchencountereconomics.com/2010/02/09/strike-while-the-iron-is-hot/#comment-1182 WolfSong Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:15:30 +0000 http://www.kitchencountereconomics.com/?p=1208#comment-1182 On the leather front...I would add that a glover needle for your machine, while not necessary, will make things go so much smoother. I have found them at the local wal-mart, though fabric shops are a better source. On the leather front…I would add that a glover needle for your machine, while not necessary, will make things go so much smoother. I have found them at the local wal-mart, though fabric shops are a better source.

]]> By: fuzzarelly http://www.kitchencountereconomics.com/2010/02/09/strike-while-the-iron-is-hot/#comment-1179 fuzzarelly Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:20:21 +0000 http://www.kitchencountereconomics.com/?p=1208#comment-1179 Here's a tip for sewing with leather, from back in my costume making days: apply a piece of masking tape to the underside of the foot. It will make the food slide across the leather more easily. Here’s a tip for sewing with leather, from back in my costume making days: apply a piece of masking tape to the underside of the foot. It will make the food slide across the leather more easily.

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